2024 polls: Don’t do it – Miracles Aboagye tells candidates on sharing items at polling stations

The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Denis Miracle Aboagye, has condemned the act of distributing food and other goodies to voters.

Speaking on the behaviour of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Alhassan, who was captured distributing items to voters at a polling station during Monday’s special voting exercise, Mr Aboagye stated that since the law does not permit such acts, they should not be practised.

He described the actions that transpired on Monday Dcember 2 as unlawful.

In a One-on-One interview with Benjamin Akakpo on Joy News’ AM Show on Tuesday, December 3, Mr Aboagye claimed that although he had not followed the incident, “It is against the law, don’t do it,” he said.

He emphasised that such actions must be condemned, especially “if it is meant to induce the voter. We shouldn’t be doing that,” he added.

The communicator stated, however, that if the sharing of items is not intended to influence the voter, then he sees no issue with it, explaining that “When you go into the constituencies and polling stations, it is usually more of a family relationship there.”

He further noted that provisions for voters at polling stations are sometimes driven by the Electoral Commission’s inability to “provide the needed comfort and convenience for the voter.”

Mr Aboagye also suggested that it is not a crime to share food with voters if one has an abundance, but emphasised that if the intention is to influence a voter’s decision, then it is unacceptable.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has commenced an investigation into the alleged food sharing by the MP. Meanwhile, she has denied sharing food with voters, despite being caught on camera.